UK medical (surgical) vacuum plants typically use one of three pump technologies: dry claw, oil-sealed rotary vane, or liquid ring. Dry claw pumps are clean and low-maintenance and dominate modern installations; oil-sealed rotary vane pumps give strong performance where servicing is well managed; liquid ring pumps tolerate wet, contaminated gas. The right choice depends on plant size, maintenance regime and HTM 02-01 requirements.
Dry claw pumps
Contactless, oil-free and low-maintenance, dry claw pumps run continuously with no wearing contact and no oil to change — ideal for the clean, reliable duty a hospital needs. They are the most common choice for new medical vacuum plant.
Oil-sealed rotary vane pumps
Rotary vane pumps offer high performance and a deep vacuum at lower capital cost, but need regular oil changes and servicing — manageable where a planned-maintenance contract is in place.
Liquid ring pumps
Liquid-ring pumps tolerate moisture and contaminants in the gas stream, which suits some clinical duties, at the cost of a service-water supply.
How medical plants are configured
Whichever pump is used, a compliant plant is a duplex or triplex set (duty + standby) with a receiver and bacterial filtration, sized so one pump can carry full demand — see our guide to UK medical vacuum systems and HTM 02-01. Girovac supplies, services and reconditions the vacuum pumps used in medical plant and holds a range of medical vacuum systems.
Need medical vacuum pumps or servicing?
We supply and service the pumps used in UK medical and laboratory vacuum plant. Email [email protected] or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What type of pump is used for medical vacuum?
Medical vacuum plants use dry claw, oil-sealed rotary vane or liquid ring pumps. Dry claw is the most common in modern plants for its cleanliness and low maintenance.
Are medical vacuum pumps oil-free?
Dry claw pumps are oil-free and popular for medical plant. Oil-sealed rotary vane pumps are also used where planned servicing is in place; liquid ring pumps use a service liquid.
How are medical vacuum plants sized?
As a duplex or triplex set (duty plus standby) with a receiver and bacterial filtration, sized so a single pump can meet the whole facility’s demand, per HTM 02-01.
Written by the Girovac technical team. Girovac Ltd has supplied and serviced industrial and laboratory vacuum equipment from its North Walsham workshop since 1983. Last updated: July 2026.